Hunting Easter Eggs

“Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Court”—the position given to Carl Fabergé and his company

Fabergé was awarded his prestigious position following the enormous success of his jeweled Easter egg. Czar Alexander III gave the first jeweled Faberge Easter egg (see photo above, currently in the permanent collection of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art), known as the First Hen Egg, as a gift to his wife, Czarina Maria Fyodorovna, in 1885. The egg was made of gold enameled in white. It opened to reveal a matte yellow gold yolk, which contained a hen of gold with eyes of rubies. The hen had a hinged tale; inside were a diamond model of the Imperial crown and a ruby pendant that could be worn on a chain.

The eggs that are part of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt are not nearly as valuable or lovely as those created by Carl Fabergé for the czars. They are really eggs, just as Fabergé’s eggs were not eggs but egg-shaped pieces of wonder. The eggs that make up the hunt are egg-shaped sculptures. More than 260 eggs sculptures have been hidden throughout four of the five boroughs of New York. The hunt is in progress for the month April. The egg sculptures have been designed by leading contemporary artists and designers. These eggstordinary (promotional cuteness that is how the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt would like its hunt to be thought of) objects are to be auctioned; the proceeds will benefit two charities. Studio in a School brings art education to New York City’s public school students; and Elephant Family supports animal conservation efforts. The first Big Egg Hunt was carried out in London in 2012. It too was a charity event, Action for Children and Elephant Family. The New York Big Egg Hunt end on the 25th of April.

Egg #4 is titled “B” and was designed by Emma Clegg. It was found on Bleecker Street in the window of the Mulberry boutique. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $8,000.

Egg #12 is titled “Moon” and was designed by Karen Gunderson. It was found in the pedestrian area on Broadway next to the Flatiron Building. This is the ugliest egg that I found. Black: how unimaginative it is. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $1,000.

Egg #19 was designed by Chris Caranabuci with CA/CHE Studio. It was found in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That is Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, emerging from the egg. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $4,700.

Egg #20 was designed by Josh Stika. It was found in the pedestrian area on Broadway next to the Flatiron Building. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $800.

Egg #34 was designed by Jason Middlebrook for DODGE Gallery. This egg had a $2,000 price tag at auction. I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building. I liked the sparkling mosaic materials used.

Egg #56 is titled “Little Infinity Pond” and was designed by April Gornik. It was found inside the entry gate to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx on Palm Sunday. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $2,600.

Egg #64 is titled “Nest Egg” and was designed by Dakota Sica. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $2,000. I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building.

Egg #64 reminds me of a disco ball. Meet me on the dance floor. Do the hustle!

Egg #77 was designed by Enoc Perez. It was found in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Last known it was selling at auction for $2,400.

Egg #81 was designed by Pat Steir. It was found in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Last known it was selling at auction for $2,400.

Egg #103 was designed by Kayti Didriksen. I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building. The design is an example of the EGGstra special performance by the Brooklyn Symphony. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $600.

Egg #139 was designed by Paul Wirhun. I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building. The last known auction price for this egg was $600.

Egg #162 was designed by Stamberg Aferiat/Tsang + Vilanova. It was found in the pedestrian area on Broadway next to the Flatiron Building. This is the coolest-looking egg that I found: day-glow orange Plexiglas. This egg was selling for $2,200 at auction.

Egg #169 was designed by Liane Ricci for Susan Eley Fine Art. It was found at Grand Central Terminal. As of this writing it was selling at auction for $700.

Egg #188 was designed by Terry Richardson. The artiest used himself as inspiration. It is a self-portrait then! I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building. Is Mr. Richardson a tourist about to take my photo as I snap its? As of this writing it was selling at auction for $800.

Egg #222 is titled “A glitch in reality” and was designed by Faig Ahmed. I found it at Columbus Circle in front of the Time-Warner Building. It is the only egg that found that had a Passover theme. Last known auction price was $1,100.

Egg #256 was designed Theo A. Rosenblum. It was found in the pedestrian area on Broadway next to the Flatiron Building. This egg looks alien! It was selling for $500 at auction.

Egg #276 is titled “Vestigal Eggg” and was designed by Molly Hatch. The egg was selling for $1,600 at auction as of this writing. It could be said that Molly hatched an egg! It was found at the entrance to the food market of Grand Central Terminal. This is my favorite egg. The classic blue and white decoration reminds me of hand-painted Delft tiles. It is peaceful and pleasing.

Eggs #64 and #256 stand in the foreground with the Empire State Building looming in the distance.

Eggs #5 and #77 were on display in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.